Independent emergency committee chair has audience with Agong

 

Former chief justice Arifin Zakaria, who is the chairperson of the Independent Special Committee on Emergency 2021, had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong this morning.

Arifin arrived at the Istana Negara around 9.45am, was seen entering the palace from Door 2, using a black Proton Perdana, as reported by Astro Awani today.

His audience with the king comes after the Agong met with a series of political leaders individually over the past week.

The 19-member Independent Special Committee on Emergency 2021 was formed under Section 2 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021. Its duty is to advise the Agong on when the emergency should end.

The members of the committee consist of public health experts, representatives from political parties, education experts, public administration and law experts, muftis, business associations and so on.

The committee has been tight-lipped about its meetings, which has courted criticism from the public, urging them to be more transparent in its dealings.

However, Arifin had said the committee is not allowed to divulge its findings to the public as the periodic reports are private, confidential, and meant only for the consumption of the Agong.

"These are the rules. We report only to the Agong," Arifin had said.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is also scheduled to meet the Agong today. - Mkini